Dip stick 5.0 MPI

[Captn TJ]

Changing the oil today on my new to me 280 with twin 5.0 and the dipstick broke about halfway down.

Has anyone had that happen and if so how did you resolve.

If it requires dipstick tube removal has anyone ever removed the dipstick tube on a 5.0? I see the part number but can't tell on the drawing how it's terminated. Bolted? welded? etc.

 

[Siboatguy]

Maybe give this a try...

 

[Bt Doctur]

small block chevy`s simply push into the block

 

[LUnaCY]

Just did mine today. You’ll need something with some serious grabbing strength. If it’s the port engine you may be able to remove the dipstick tube. Possibly safety wired on then unscrew it?

 

[scoflaw]

small block chevy`s simply push into the block

This

 

[Captn TJ]

small block chevy`s simply push into the block

Are you saying to push it into the pan and leave it?

 

[Captn TJ]

Just did mine today. You’ll need something with some serious grabbing strength. If it’s the port engine you may be able to remove the dipstick tube. Possibly safety wired on then unscrew it?

Can you provide more details on what you used and how. It is the Port engine so at least I have a bit more working room.

 

[scoflaw]

Manifold will probably have to come off. it pushes into the block. Tube usually has a bracket attached, to bolt it down. Grab the old 1 with some big vise grips, twist and pull

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[LUnaCY]

Sorry. I didnt mean to infer that I retrieved a broken dipstick. The pic above makes me think the manifold will likely need to be removed.

 

[Espos4]

I had the manifolds off of my 5.7 earlier his year. With the starboard manifold out of the way, dipstick tube replacement looks pretty straightforward.

With the exhaust manifold in place, it looks VERY difficult, maybe not even possible.

I don’t have easy access to the starboard side of the motor in a 240 SD.

If you have better access in the Sundancer bilge you may have a better chance of leaving the manifold in place.

 

[Little Ducky]

So the dipstick itself broke not the dipstick tube.... correct?

 

[Captn TJ]

So the dipstick itself broke not the dipstick tube.... correct?

Correct - tube is intact. the dipstick is missing about 16". Original length is 36" and remaining one is 20". Here's a side by side photo.

 

[Little Ducky]

I bet you it's already laying in the bottom of the oil pan so unless you want to remove the engine to get to it just leave it and buy another dipstick.

The oil pick up should have a screen on it so the piece of metal in the pan won't do anything.

 

[scoflaw]

Bet it's still stuck in the tube. Agree it's too big to create a problem if it made it's way out of the tube

 

[CliffA]

not sure why but my engines have dip stick tubes on both sides of the engine....any chance your engines do also?...

cliff

 

[Siboatguy]

Put the vacuum oil change pump on the dip stick... See if you can suck it out...

 

[Bt Doctur]

the dipstick tube usually goes to the bottom of the pan so the section could not have fallen out. Try inserting a thin piece of bailing wire, thin solid wire, etc and use a drill to spin it. You may capture the missing section

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

not sure why but my engines have dip stick tubes on both sides of the engine....any chance your engines do also?...

cliff

Mine do. It's a nice feature so that no matter how your engine is oriented in the ER you can have your dipsticks in the most accessible location. In my case, both are towards the centreline of the ER instead of one being on the outboard side.

 

[Captn TJ]

Manifold will probably have to come off. it pushes into the block. Tube usually has a bracket attached, to bolt it down. Grab the old 1 with some big vise grips, twist and pull

So I had two different marinas look at this. One is my 'home' marina (with an excellent mercruiser tech), the other is more of a dealer/service business than a marina.

The dealer/service business sent out a nice young man. His immediate reaction was looks like they going to have to lift the motor to get access to the bolt/clamp that holds the tube in place. Still haven't seen the estimate for that but figure it falls into the category of second mortgage.

The tech from my home marina said - yeah its tight (remember 2 5.0 mpi motors), but if he takes the manifold off he can remove the tube and remnants of the dipstick (16" stuck in the tube). All in about 3 hours work plus dropping it in the water to make sure everything is working right with the motor. So I'm going with that. Pushing it into the pan was not an option nor was inserting a kind of device to grab the remainder of the stick.